4 min read
For years, a Biotechnology Research Company struggled with outdated contract lifecycle management (CLM) processes that slowed negotiations and increased risk. Templates were tangled, workflows were inefficient, and the clause library lacked clarity, making every contract review a time-consuming challenge. Today, the organization is turning that frustration into success with Conga CLM and AI-driven innovation.
The challenge: Outdated templates and manual processes
The Customer Service, Sales, and Legal teams were bogged down by antiquated templates, especially the Master Service Agreement (MSA). Multi-level numbering was inconsistent; clauses were buried in formatting quirks, and exhibit references relied on brittle custom code. Negotiators faced additional hurdles with a clause library full of numeric identifiers such as “2.3,” offering no real guidance. Negotiation tips lived in disconnected Excel sheets, forcing every review into a balancing act between compliance and manual fixes, costing time and increasing risk.
The team knew the process was outdated but lacked the bandwidth and expertise to drive change. Behavioral resistance added another layer of complexity. That’s when Conga stepped in.
The solution: Modernizing CLM with Conga
The partnership began with a reverse demo to uncover gaps and reduce operational risk. Over time, Conga introduced tools like X-Author, Promotions, Grid, Clause Management, and Sign to the team—each designed to improve compliance and efficiency. Still, templates remained untouched, prompting a deeper discussion.
During a pivotal meeting with key stakeholders, Conga experts reframed the challenge. It wasn’t about system limitations; it was about format control and process design. Practical solutions included:
- Dynamic numbering using Word styles for automatic updates
- Conditional logic for exhibits to replace custom code
- Guidance fields and alternates to empower negotiators
- Clear naming conventions that speak the language of business
This collaborative redesign transformed how the company approached contracts.
The impact: Efficiency, compliance, and confidence
The results speak for themselves; the company:
- Saved 2–3 hours per contract by eliminating manual renumbering
- Cut training time by 30% with a true negotiation playbook
- Reduced template maintenance effort by 50%
- Improved turnaround on redlines by 20–25%
These changes turned CLM from a simple tool into a strategic asset, reducing legal errors and protecting the company from costly disputes.
What’s next: AI-powered contract management
The organization plans to expand its library with richer guidance, leverage metadata for audits, and upgrade to X-Author Advanced for better visibility. Following an upcoming exploration meeting, they’ll also pursue AI-driven clause recommendations to make playbooks smarter and negotiations faster.
The company’s journey wasn’t just about fixing templates, it was about embracing innovation and building a foundation for efficiency, compliance, and confidence.
Want to learn more about Conga CLM? Join the user group or register for one of our bi-monthly CLM customer user group meetups.
